Rose Passes on Attending Reds' Opener

Published 7:00 pm, Sunday, March 23, 2003

Pete Rose turned down an invitation to be Cincinnati Mayor Charlie Luken's guest when the Reds open their new stadium next week.

Luken said Monday that Rose's agent contacted him to say the former Reds star would not be at the March 31 game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the new Great American Ball Park.

Rose agreed to a permanent ban from baseball in August 1989 following an investigation of his gambling. He applied for reinstatement in September 1997 and has been in discussions with baseball officials the past year about being reinstated.

"I'm not surprised. It was clear Pete wanted to be here, but it was clear he wouldn't do anything that would interfere with his attempt to be reinstated into major league baseball," Luken said. "He'll be here in spirit. I'm sure he'll be here sooner or later."

Rose's agent, Warren Greene of Plantation, Fla., did not return messages left Monday.

The Reds declined to comment on the exchange between Rose and Luken.

"This was between Mayor Luken and Pete Rose," Reds spokesman Rob Butcher said. "We were not involved in any way, shape or form."